The committee will be responsible for creating and evaluating the PS4RS endorsement application packet and narrowing the field down to six candidates. Those candidates will then conduct an online town hall forum, and PS4Rs will pick its three endorsements sometime in mid-March for the April 10 ballot distribution.

The group has not been immune from criticism — some alumni find them to be too brash or marked with misplaced priorities — but there is no doubting their superior influence at the Board of Trustees ballot box. Last year’s endorsed candidates dominated in a field of 37. The fourth highest finisher was Paul Suhey with 4,541 votes — 6,882 behind current trustee and PS4RS-endorsed Ted Brown, the third highest vote getter.

Only time will tell if PS4RS will continue to equate to electoral gold. But with candidatesstarting to announce earlier than ever, it’s worth thinking about.

Kevin Horne is the Managing Editor of Onward State and frequent contributor to StateCollege.com. He is also a Penn State senior, majoring in journalism and political science.
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